I’m getting more comments asking about some of my favorite productivity hacks, so I thought I’s share some of them with you today! Let’s jump right in.
Using a timer
One of my absolute favorite productivity hacks is using a timer. You might be wondering how it helps, so let’s go into a bit more detail.
You know when you need to start work on something, but the idea of it being such a big task can make you feel a bit unmotivated? A timer is the perfect solution!
Instead of spending your time procrastinating starting, try setting a 30 minute timer. Tell yourself that you’ll work for 30 minutes, then you’ll get a break. More often than not, you won’t want a break after the timer goes off.
This is because the hardest part of work for most of us is actually starting. Once we get into the flow, it gets easier and easier.
I use a timer as a symbol of starting. I know that if at the end of 30 minutes I do want that break, then at least I already got 30 minutes of work in! Definitely try this one out if you need some help getting started.
Giving myself small rewards
Another one of my favorite hacks is to schedule small rewards for myself. This could truly be anything that personally motivates you, so there’s a lot of stuff to work with!
Maybe your small reward is going out to grab a coffee after work, or maybe you’ve been eyeing a new workout set and you’ll contribute $5 to the savings fund if you finish all your work today.
If you think about it, this is a process or mental battle that we encounter throughout the entirety of our lives. Even when we are young, intrinsic motivation is not always enough to keep us going.
So, instead of trying to push past not wanting to do something, give yourself something even better to look forward to! This really works if you need that extra push.
Using my calendar to time block
This is seriously one of the best ways to increase your productivity. Do you ever feel like you don’t know where the day went? Time seems to fly by and you’re never able to finish everything you want to. Sound familiar?
This is something that I really struggled and still struggle with. One hack that helps me in this area is time blocking.
The night before a busy work day, I sit down with my calendar and start working on what my day will look like. I time block in time for exercise, breakfast, reading, etc., on top of all the work I need to do. This is an important part of the process, because balance is key here!
Now you can start plugging in work projects. This works for if you set your own schedule or if you have a 9-5. The trick is to estimate the amount of time it will take you to complete a task, and then time block that into your calendar. It’ll look something like this:
8-9AM: Workout
9-10AM: Emails
10-12PM: Work Meeting
12-1PM: Lunch Break
1-3PM: Project 1
3-5PM: Project 2
The reason this works is because it lets you set realistic expectations for what your day can actually look like. Pro Tip: don’t forget to include time for your commute if you have one!
I hope that these productivity hacks help you make the most out of your time! You can find more information on this topic on my TikTok (@lifewithhopee), Instagram (@lifewith.hopee), and Podcast (Onwards and Upwards). Talk to you all next week!
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